Maya Angelou, one of America's most celebrated poets, writers, and civil-rights activists, has died her longtime literary agent, Helen Brann, has confirmed. According to Brann, Angelou has been in frail health for some time. The author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou was the first female African American Poet Laureate in U.S. history. Recognized for her inspirational, moving, and often controversial words, Angelou famously delivered the inaugural poem, "On the Pulse of Morning," at Bill Clinton's swearing in as President in 1993.

Below are 10 of Maya Angelou's most inspirational quotes:

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."

"Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage."

"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."

"Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. But anger is like fire. It burns it all clean."

"If you have only one smile in you give it to the people you love."

"A wise woman wishes to be no one's enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone's victim."